Nintendo of Canada commissioned a survey (for bragging rights, perhaps?) to find out whether Mario or Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was more recognizable. The winner? Yep, our favorite plumber.
In the cities of Toronto, Calgary (where Harper was a Member of Parliament), and Halifax, more people could identify Mario's picture than Harper's picture. On the one hand, it's not surprising that everyone seems to know Nintendo's icon. On the other hand, however, it's embarassing for the human race in general that we can identify more with a fictional (albeit lovable) character more than our world leaders.
So, what did Nintendo of Canada have to say on the issue? The company's general manager Ron Bertram responded, "Canadian politicians are lucky Mario doesn't have his Canadian citizenship and could campaign for office." Oh, snap! Hear that, Mr. Harper? You may want to fire your campaign team and hire Nintendo's PR sector instead.
[Thanks, Ninja-bot!]
In the cities of Toronto, Calgary (where Harper was a Member of Parliament), and Halifax, more people could identify Mario's picture than Harper's picture. On the one hand, it's not surprising that everyone seems to know Nintendo's icon. On the other hand, however, it's embarassing for the human race in general that we can identify more with a fictional (albeit lovable) character more than our world leaders.
So, what did Nintendo of Canada have to say on the issue? The company's general manager Ron Bertram responded, "Canadian politicians are lucky Mario doesn't have his Canadian citizenship and could campaign for office." Oh, snap! Hear that, Mr. Harper? You may want to fire your campaign team and hire Nintendo's PR sector instead.
[Thanks, Ninja-bot!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-13-2007 @ 3:31PM
Donald said...
And unlike Harper, I'd vote for Mario's party.
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 3:45PM
Konstantino said...
Umm...I hope Nintendo knows that you don't need to be born in Canada to be the Prime Minister of it, unlike the US.
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 3:59PM
DaBoy said...
Mario!
No question about it, I'd accept Mario as my Prime Minister!
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 4:06PM
exolstice said...
Even though Mario is a fictional character, he'd still make a better PM. However, his fondness for magic mushrooms might cost him an election.
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 5:07PM
GoodBytes said...
Mario is fictional?
NOOOOOOOOooooooooo it's can't be, you lie! I hate you, go away!!
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 5:59PM
Bluebreaker said...
From what I understand a lot of people just said they didn't know Harper just to snub him. That's harsh, but then again Mario IS an astronaut now so....
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 6:16PM
Dan said...
Harper has been fucking Canadian cities for a long time, though. The conservative party has trouble making inroads into big cities for that reason, although they have more support in the western prairie provinces.
So there's a little more at work than just pure recognition.
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 6:27PM
hvnlysoldr said...
It's like when Mickey Mouse won a California mayorship.
Reply
11-13-2007 @ 7:32PM
Mr Khan said...
Or how, due to the census, Jedi Knight is an officially recognized religion in California
Reply
11-14-2007 @ 4:58AM
Jamesology said...
LMAO... with all these beliefs, how much longer do they expect humans to live?
Reply
11-14-2007 @ 5:01AM
Jamesology said...
Also, does anyone else get dizzy or get headaches playing Mario Galaxy? Don't get me wrong I freakin' love the game but I feel nausea when I play and I think its the camera movements and the background. I can only play for a short time.
Reply
11-14-2007 @ 12:35PM
L said...
Lol! You called Stephen Harper a "world leader". Riiiiiight!
Reply